Anxiety causes your muscles to contract, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back. Over time, this tension can lead to chronic pain, headaches, or even migraines.
Anxiety activates the "fight or flight" response, making your heart beat faster and harder. This can mimic the feeling of a heart attack and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues over time.
The gut and brain are closely connected. Anxiety can disrupt your digestive system, leading to nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or even conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Chronic anxiety raises cortisol levels, which weakens your immune defenses. This makes you more prone to infections, colds, and even slows down wound healing.
Anxious thoughts make it hard to fall or stay asleep. This lack of rest can lead to fatigue, poor focus, and a vicious cycle where sleeplessness increases anxiety.
You may breathe faster or more shallowly during anxiety, which can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, or even panic attacks—especially if you have underlying respiratory conditions like asthma.
Long-term anxiety affects hormone production, impacting everything from your metabolism to reproductive health. Women may notice irregular periods, and men may experience reduced testosterone levels.